Schoolgirl dies from meningitis just 15 minutes after feeling unwell

A schoolgirl was chatting on the computer to her friends just minutes before she died from suspected meningitis.

Amy Wood, 14, was MSN messaging two of her friends at home just after midday.

Her mother Louise found her daughter dead when she returned home at 12.15pm.

Amy' dad Melvyn said: "She had been chatting to her friends and then apparently sent a message saying she was going to stop messaging because she didn't feel very well.

"That was a few minutes after 12 noon. It just seems incredible to think that one minute she was on her computer and the next she had died."

The bright and bubbly teenager, from Hoyland, South Yorkshire had been suffering 'flu' like symptoms just 48 hours before but told her parents she was feeling better.

She ate some breakfast and was sat at her computer when her mum checked on her at 10.45am. When Louise returned at 12.15pm she found the pretty teenager dead in her bedroom.

A post mortem has been inconclusive but undiagnosed meningitis is suspected and further tests are being carried out.

Melvyn and Louise described Amy as "our beautiful loving daughter who was the centre of our world."

The Year 10 pupil complained of feeling poorly last Wednesday but still went out to celebrate Hallowe'en by trick or treating with her friends.

On Thursday she was sick and had aches and pains but by Friday morning said she felt better and ate some toast and drank Lucozade.

Louise, a social services home carer, left to go to work but rang at 10.45am to check on Amy.

Louise, 41, said: "She was on the computer and I laughed and said she was obviously feeling better and told her I would be back at lunchtime."

Her mother found Amy in her bedroom and her daughter was rushed to Barnsley District Hospital but doctors could not revive her.

Louise said: "We all thought it was a bug that was going round. Some of her friends had not been well and she seemed to be getting better.

"She didn't have a rash you associate with meningitis, she wasn't getting worse and was smiling and on her computer.

"It is unbelievable to think that a healthy, wonderful young girl with all her life ahead of her could be with us one minute and the next she is not there.

We are awaiting the test results but we understand she probably did have meningitis.

"The doctors did everything they could but nothing could bring us back our beautiful little girl.

"We are not coping, we can't believe we will never see her smiling face again. She was everything to us and her 16-year-old brother and we don't know how we can cope."

Amy's friends and schoolpals at Pope Pius School in Wath upon Dearne have showered her family with condolences.

A special book of remembrance for Amy has been opened at the school and her friends have posted tributes and messages on several websites.

Pope Pius Headteacher Ann Wingfield said: "This is a very sad time indeed. Amy was a very popular lively pupil with a keen sense of humour.

"She particularly shone in the expressive arts. We will be doing all we can to help out students cope with what is a very emotional time for everyone."

Mr Wood said: "We are still in a state of total shock but would like to thank Amy's many friends who have been to see us. They are obviously distraught, people are being so very kind and supportive."

Rory O'Connor, Barnsley's Consultant in Public Health said: "This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with Amy's parents at this sad time.

"Meniningitis is very rare and often happens as a sporadic case. If it is confirmed this was a case of meningitis the Health Protection Unit will undertake standard contact tracing on people who were in very close contact with Amy.

"As this happened during half term the risk to other children is minimal." Amy' funeral will take place next Monday at St Peter's Parish Church, Hoyland.